Captaining again was a great experience, I felt I got the batting lineup and bowling options nearly 100% correct. I stuck with my gut and opened with Josh Toth and David Le, which turned out to be a masterstroke.
Mind you, we had a great team, I would nearly describe it as a Plateau all stars team. Everyone contributed and hopefully we can have the majority of them back for game 2.
In the field I need to improve and take more control, constantly monitor what positions are effective and who is doing nothing. However I didn't make any bad decisions and thought I did pretty well for my first time captaining a senior team.
The game was a cracker and you can read all about it in the Plateau blog. Note down in my goals I have added 'keep captaincy record at 100%' to accommodate the Twenty20 comp. And if that goal is achieved, we win the title (providing I don't get sacked).
I got one up on my cousin Carl in the captaincy stakes but had two put down when bowling to Dane.
Now, on to the disappointing news from Saturday.
We lost the toss and fielded first (AGAIN, D'OH). And I soon learned that I would not be opening, so I could bowl from the outswinger's end after Mick. I wasn't too pleased about it, and probably should have insisted to open from the wrong end (considering I did it last week and bowled fantastic). But anyway Mick and Dee opened and did a great job. I came on at first change and got unlucky. In my 2nd over some guy blocked me for 4, edged me for another 4, got dropped etc etc and I was left with 2 overs 0/21. We took wickets consistently throughout Cromer's innings, I contributed with a ripper run out. I feebly misfielded a drive to mid off through my legs, fired up I charged after the ball, the batsmen set off for another run, I retrieved the ball 3/4 of the way to the boundary and launched it in, demolishing middle stump and catching the batsman short. That spurred on a bit of a celebration considering it was their opening batsman who had been hanging around. Finally I came on again for the 2nd last over with the score at 9 fa and I finished Cromer's innings with my first ball, all out for 168, a poor score at Griffith park. Freddy was again the pick of our bowlers with 4/19 off his 7.
Our innings was horrible for the main part, we were 4/13 then 6/43 and I think that says something about where our batting order is at currently. Batting at 3, Pete survived as everyone else fell around him. His 60 gave us a chance at taking the match with some great hitting towards the end. Steve joined Dee for the final wicket. That's right, they were together for the final wicket. And they put on an unbeaten 36 to just pull up short of the total (8 runs in fact). If only they were higher in the order... Steve finished with 30 not out and Dee 15 not out.
I got bowled by a quick 'spinner' who was bowling more medium pace than spin, for 1. I always find new ways to get out, I couldn't tell you the last time I got bowled simply trying to prod a ball to leg side.
Anyway this week were at back at Lake Park again, against Harbord Bowling. We must get something out of this game, and lets hope we bloody well bat first.
Goals Update:
Lead Comp
6thOpen Bowling
Bowled at First Change in 3rds2.3 Wickets Per Game
.75/GameBatting Average 15
3Player of Day
Top 10 Club Champion Pts
Approx. 31st
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